Reserves Hold Chelsea

HAMMERS Reserves held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Aldershot, with 16-year-old striker Jack Jeffery scoring his first Reserve team goal to earn Kevin Keen's side a point.

West Ham United fielded six players with first-team experience - Elliott Ward, Chris Cohen, Clive Clarke, David Bellion, Tony Stokes and Hogan Ephraim all with varying degrees of senior experience to their names.

In the Chelsea side, England full-back Wayne Bridge was making his return from injury, while the Chelsea Reserve team boss was none other than former Hammers player Mick McGiven.

This London derby was a high-quality match with plenty of good football through-out.

The two best chances of the first-half fell to the Hammers with Tony Stokes' well struck shot and Hogan Ephraim's lob both forcing good saves out of giant Belgium Yves Ma-Kalambay in the Chelsea goal.

Hammers just shaded a well-contested first-half that finished 0-0.

The second-half saw West Ham start well and take the lead after 49 minutes. An inswinging corner from David Cowley picked out Jeffery and he glanced home a header to give Hammers the lead, in the process marking his first goal at Reserve team level.

Chelsea responded well though and drew level two minutes later. A wonderful through-ball split the Hammers defence and sent Jonas Elmer clear, but the striker was bundled to the ground by Jemel Henry inside the penalty area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Filipe Morais stepped up to take the spot-kick and coolly slotted home to make it 1-1 and earn his side a point.

Although there was excellent football from both sides over the closing stages, neither team could carve out a clear cut chance to grab a winner as this game ended with honours even in the FA Premier Reserve League South.

WHU: Reed; Henry, Clarke, Cohen, Ward, Stokes, Bellion, Cowley, Jeffery, Ephraim, Welsh (Reid 90). Subs unused: White, Tomkins, Andrews, Hines.

By Tony Fowles, Ironworks Gazette